Heath Miller had been a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 5 years when the 2010 season kicked off. Miller would play 6 seasons in the decade, and yet end up 11th in Football Outsiders DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement) for the decade. All ten tight ends above him on the list played more games in the decade than Heath Miller.
Football Outsiders recently compiled the numbers for the entire decade and made lists of the 20 best and worst tight ends to qualify in DYAR. No small samples on the list, players had to be consistent players and targets.